Weekend Auto Calendar: Prewar Cars Race on the Jersey Shore

Antique hot rods will go head-to-head on the beach sands at Wildwood, N.J.CreditThe Race of Gentlemen

By Benjamin Preston

Oct. 3, 2014

A bite-size sampling of concours, cruise nights, auctions, club races and other upwellings of car culture happening across America this weekend:

■ The Race of Gentlemen:Wildwood, N.J., Friday to Sunday

The Oilers Car Club — an outfit that dates back to the late 1940s — and Sailor Jerry rum are hosting a gathering of antique car aficionados on the sands of New Jersey’s Atlantic coast. Festivities include beach races for prewar cars and motorcycles, live music, a Saturday night beach bonfire and a car show in town. More info.

Race No. 1 of the Contender Round in the Chase for the Championship playoff for the Sprint Cup series will be at Kansas Speedway on Sunday. Brad Keselowski leads the series, followed by Joey Logano, Kevin Harvick and Jimmie Johnson. Chase Elliott leads Nationwide, which will run on Saturday afternoon. More info.

■ Formula One Japanese Grand Prix:Suzuka City, Japan, Sunday

Kimi Raikkonen, who is currently 11th in the season points standings, holds the lap record for the 17-turn figure-eight at Suzuka. Nico Rosberg is only three points behind Lewis Hamilton, so competition has the potential to heat up. After Japan, there are only four races left on the 2014 calendar. More info.

■ 30th Annual N.H.R.A. Nationals:Mohnton, Pa., Sunday

Race four of the six-race Countdown to the Championship unfolds at Maple Grove Raceway this weekend. John Force is tops in the Funny Car class, with his daughter Courtney only 30 points behind. Tony Schumacher leads Top Fuel, Jason Line heads up Pro Stock and Andrew Hines holds the top slot in Pro Stock Motorcycle. More info.

Road Atlanta hosts this 10-hour endurance race on the 2.54-mile course. João Barbosa goes into the event tied for first with Christian Fittipaldi. More info.

■ The Bridgehampton Road Rally:Bridgehampton, N.Y., Saturday

According to event organizers, the fire department in Bridgehampton began sponsoring road races as part of its summer festival in 1915. Today, the rally consists of a 75-mile course for vintage automobile enthusiasts, complete with special timed sections. More info.

■ San Diego Deuce Day:Escondido, Calif., Saturday

About 100 Deuce coupes and roadsters will gather in one of America’s most laid-back beach communities to celebrate the classic 1932 Ford hot rod. All entrants will receive dash plaques, and the festivities include a barbecue lunch. More info.